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"title": "Tributes pour in for Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule - 'She nurtured the growth of gospel music in South Africa'",
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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It is so hard to believe, even though it is true. It hasn’t really sunk in. The Gospel industry as a whole has lost a valuable person… Zanele made sure she represented Gospel until the formation of the Crown Gospel Music Awards that produced many talented gospel artists” gospel singer Rebecca Malope said in response to the death of Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are really saddened – it is unbelievable,” said Malope.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mbokazi-Nkambule was an Ukhozi FM radio presenter and founder of the </span><a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CrownGospelMusicAwards/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crown Gospel Music Awards in 2007.</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Known as ‘Mazetzet’, she died at Parklands Hospital on 12 August at the age of 52.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Her husband, Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule, confirmed the news of her succumbing to lung cancer in a heartfelt </span><a href=\"http://statement/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">statement</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the early hours of Monday.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It is with a heavy heart that we, the Nkambule and Mbokazi family announce the passing of our dearly beloved Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, founder of the Crown Gospel Music Awards and Ukhozi FM radio personality.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">‘‘She departed to be with the Lord; early hours of 12 August 2024 at Parklands Hospital. We are grateful for all the prayers, love and support we received throughout her illness. The family would appreciate privacy as we navigate through this challenging time,” said Bishop Nkambule.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She was born and based in Durban.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mbokazi-Nkambule’s battle with lung cancer was evident in the months leading up to her diagnosis. In April, her health began to decline, causing her to miss her ‘Eshilo’ show on Ukhozi FM on Sunday, 21 April.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mbokazi-Nkambule could not finish hosting her next show and was hospitalised shortly afterwards.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This marked the beginning of her public health struggles, and her husband later announced her cancer diagnosis on Ukhozi FM, the country’s largest national radio station based in Durban. </span>\r\n<h4><b>Tributes</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government Communication and Information System issued a statement saying that as the founder of the Crown Gospel Music Awards, “Mbokazi-Nkambule provided a platform for gospel artists to be recognised and to showcase their talents. This contributed immensely to elevating the genre to new heights. Her dedication and love for gospel music has helped many and nurtured the growth of gospel music in South Africa.’’</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political parties such as the </span><a href=\"https://x.com/MYANC/status/1822936700546330856?t=YSc5AZSzRT4c4I37PlLPUg&s=08\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ANC, the</span></a> <a href=\"https://x.com/EFFSouthAfrica/status/1822940254245880299?t=KTM-eCzZfPrx9Slz_38bHQ&s=08\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EFF</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the DA also paid tribute.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ANC said it “mourns the passing of Zanele Mbokazi, beloved award-winning gospel singer and television presenter that brought South Africans a lifetime of spiritual soul. Her legacy lives on in the body of work she leaves behind”.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EFF also sent condolences:</span>\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The EFF sends its deepest condolences to the Nkambule and Mbokazi families for the passing of Ms. Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, the founder of the Crown Gospel Music Awards and UKhozi FM radio personality.</p>\r\nMay her soul rest in peace. <a href=\"https://t.co/cDOM0gqt3z\">pic.twitter.com/cDOM0gqt3z</a>\r\n\r\n— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/EFFSouthAfrica/status/1822940254245880299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 12, 2024</a></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The DA said on X:</span>\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">?️ The DA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and fans of Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, founder of the Crown Gospel Music Awards and beloved Ukhozi FM radio personality. Your voice and leadership influence will be deeply missed by many. <a href=\"https://t.co/CDnvUAARhs\">pic.twitter.com/CDnvUAARhs</a></p>\r\n— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Our_DA/status/1822964153507520731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 12, 2024</a></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, Nontembeko Boyce, described Mbokazi-Nkambule’s death as a huge loss for South Africa, particularly in the fight against cancer. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We appreciate the work done by the South African National Aids Council on the cancer awareness campaign, The Pink Drive. We believe it has assisted in closing the care gap.’’</span>\r\n<h4><b>Gospel contributions</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boyce acknowledged Mbokazi-Nkambule’s contributions to building and promoting gospel music: “On behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, we appreciate and are thankful for the work done by Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule for the Gospel fraternity. May her legacy continue to live on.’</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lesedi FM radio presenter, Seipati Seoke, known as ‘</span><a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/share/p/NSpHyc9QiKc8s2Vm/?mibextid=oFDknk\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Twasa</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">’, highlighted Mbokazi’s contribution to the gospel industry: “One of the champions of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has gone to be with the Lord. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“May the God of all comforts encircle you (the family, friends, and fans) with his love during this season of grief. Be encouraged, death will be defeated too. We will yet meet at our grand Sunrise.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Details of her memorial and funeral service will be announced later </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mbokazi-Nkambule is survived by her husband and a child. </span><b>DM</b>",
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